Announcements
(notes courteous of the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Ed Perry)
Jeff reminded everyone the regular January 17th meeting will be a club assembly.  That evening there will also be a new members orientation meeting, 7pm at Ata’s home, 1429 Mayfair Road, Champaign.Mary announced that 3 members have stepped up and offered to host the visiting Italian GSE team that will be visiting the area March 24 to 28th.Our Club’s Interact Club at Central High School is selling sweatshirts as a fundraiser. See Jeff for details.

Program

Mary introduced our speaker, Eric Batsie, regional director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The BBBS international organization is over 100 years old. Eric spent his first 10 years with BBBS in Russia and now has been the regional direction in Champaign for the last 4 years.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking adults to be mentors for area students of the age 5 to 18 years old. There are two mentoring programs. One meets weekly for an hour at lunch at the school and in the other program the mentor and student meet on the weekends. The idea/goal for the mentor is to help the student make good choices in life. A one year commitment from the mentor is required with the hope that it continues for many years. Approximately 200 students are currently being served in the area with a waiting list of over 100. The children need a positive role model.

Candidates for mentors must go through an interview/background check process before approval for the program. Once accepted there is an orientation and training process. Once the mentoring begins BBBS follows with a year of continued support to the mentor, student and student’s family.

Eric gave several examples of positive results this mentoring programs has on the young people. He asked the club members if with have an hour a week or some time of on the weekend to spare to help? He also asked that we spread the word about the program for the need is great.

The annual “Bowl for Kids Sake” fundraiser is the largest fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters. This year it will be the weekend of March 1st at Western Bowl again this year. So mark your calenders as our club has participated in this fundraiser the last several years and will do so again this year.

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Jan 3rd Jan 10th Jan 17th Jan 24th
Introductions Larry Johnson Reuben Chambers Paul Conforti Ata Durukan
Invocation John McDaniel Penn Nelson Gary Olsen Scott Paceley
Greeters Larry Johnson Reuben Chambers Paul Conforti Ata Durukan
BJ Lytle Ben Mast John McDaniel Penn Nelson
Song Leader Andrew Kerins Dave Krchak Benny Lapid Hang Liang
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Lintner Conforti

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Upcoming Schedule

Jan 3 – Tiffany DeSpain, District 6490 RYLA Coordinator

Jan 10 –

Jan 17 – Club Assembly